I’m not sure where I first learned of the uni-strut pipe wrench holder trick but after trying it myself I can say its great! Typically I keep my pipe wrenches upright in a 5 gallon bucket, the bucket is heavy and doesn’t last much more than a few months due to the weight and having
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I’m not sure where I first learned of the uni-strut pipe wrench holder trick but after trying it myself I can say its great!

Typically I keep my pipe wrenches upright in a 5 gallon bucket, the bucket is heavy and doesn’t last much more than a few months due to the weight and having to move it out of the way often. For now I’m still using the bucket for the larger wrenches as I make space in the truck for their strut hangers but as you’ll see in the video, the smaller daily wrenches are taken care of.

Extra space is a premium on any type of service truck. Having a van and pickup myself I see the challenge from both sides. Organizing everything is important but having the tools you use everyday quickly accessible can make you day much more efficient and honestly, a lot easier. My hats off to the person who first shared this trick, I absolutely love it.

One tip I’ll share is that you’ll want to use the 1-5/8″ strut for wrenches 18″ and longer. I installed the pipe wrench holders in late July and have yet had any of the wrenches fall out of their holder. I chose to use small stainless stove bolts and locking nuts with fender washers, I’d say this hardware was a good choice. Please share a link back to this post with your friends if you find this helpful, I’d appreciate it!

A post shared by Mechanical-Hub (@mechanicalhub) on Aug 3, 2018 at 7:56am PDT

I have been using the M18 FUEL Metal Cutting circular saw for over a year now for cutting strut and other metals like this. Its motor and drive system turn the blade at 3900 rpm, the perfect speed for the high torque task of metal cutting. You can find all the specs or get the best price on the #2782-20 M18 saw here: M18 FUEL Metal Cutting Circular Saw

Hauling out old, leaking and dirty tank water heaters can be a messy job. I’ve covered walkways with drop cloths, tarps or plastic in attempt to contain the dripping water, soot or rust and still have had carpets get soiled; not since we started using the “body bag” heater hauler. It’s a giant duffel with
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Hauling out old, leaking and dirty tank water heaters can be a messy job. I’ve covered walkways with drop cloths, tarps or plastic in attempt to contain the dripping water, soot or rust and still have had carpets get soiled; not since we started using the “body bag” heater hauler. It’s a giant duffel with a water resistant lining inside that contains the mess. It’s always on my truck and I haven’t had to hire a carpet cleaner for years now.

After months of use, varied from thawing frozen AC coils to straightening PEX-a kinks on radiant tubing installs I think its time to set the record straight on cordless heat guns. Of, the only cordless heat gun, Milwaukee’s M18 #2688-20. Its legit. First let me say its not a complete replacement for a corded, multiple
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After months of use, varied from thawing frozen AC coils to straightening PEX-a kinks on radiant tubing installs I think its time to set the record straight on cordless heat guns. Of, the only cordless heat gun, Milwaukee’s M18 #2688-20.

Its legit.

First let me say its not a complete replacement for a corded, multiple temperature heat gun. The M18 is a single temp (listed at 875F on acmetoosl.com) but that is enough for typical tasks like heat shrink for wiring, simple thawing of small diameter piping and even PEX repair.

The 2688 Heat Gun has a well designed hook for carrying or storage. The hook fits well onto a belt or pants pocket but wont hang on a ladder rung or anything larger than about an inch in thickness.

Looking to buy?

Available accessories kit (49-80-0300) includes four different heat gun nozzles for a variety of specialty tasks. Each nozzle is fully compatible with any of Milwaukee’s heat guns. The deflector nozzle directs hot air to specific points, which is most useful when you want to strip a window of sealants without cracking the glass under heat. Air reduction nozzles further refine the blast of hot air to a small, circular point for spot melting. A hook nozzle moves the air flow in a circular pattern, which seals shrink wrap around cables or other similarly-shaped pieces instantly. The air spreader nozzle increases the width of the air blast and is useful for a variety of heat gun applications, including drying paint, putty, concrete filler and other construction materials.

The 2688 is not a full power heat gun and likely never will be, battery tech has come a long way but there are certain limits that we may always be up against with tools like this. Its a very useful tool and has earned a spot in my daily PACKOUT case for sure.

I had some projects going in the shop late last night and I was able to give the new M18 table saw a good try . I ripped 94’-6 1/8” of 2X Pine and Doug Fir. I know it’s not hardwood but it’s wet wood and the fully charged HD 12.0ah battery and saw did
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I had some projects going in the shop late last night and I was able to give the new M18 table saw a good try .

I ripped 94’-6 1/8” of 2X Pine and Doug Fir. I know it’s not hardwood but it’s wet wood and the fully charged HD 12.0ah battery and saw did a great job, only stopping short of finishing the work by about 15”. I’m using the factory supplied 24T framing blade .

It’s amazing what you can do without a cord. I like the saw, it’s compact and easy to carry. Only thing I need to get used to is locking the fence after adjustment, the locking lever is below the table and out of the way because its not locking the fence itself but the rails. Not a problem, just not something I’m not used to.

I don’t own the Dewalt 60V saw to compare. The dust collection on the M18 won’t blow you away, it’s not terrible but you’ll need to vac it out pretty well on the underside before transporting if leaving a mess is an issue.

So far I’m not a fan of the stand (accessory) for the M18 and I’ve already ditched it, setting the saw on either my tabletop or…(see last pic😬😆).